A Tribute to London Wildflowers

For further information please use the links to the individual organisation’s website.

FacebookTwitter

The United Nations defines a forest as any area where the tree canopy covers more than 10% of a land expanse larger than half a hectare. By this standard, London, with 21% of its vast 150,000 hectares covered by towering greenery, can be considered a forest in its own right. With over eight million trees, there are almost as many as there are people.

Despite being so interwoven by rail, inexhaustible brick, and endless tarmac, London is recognised as the world’s largest urban forest. Its trees span streets, parks, ancient churchyards, and woodlands, surpassing Berlin, which ranks second with a 14% canopy cover.

Tucked beneath this leafy celebration are hosts of magnificent wildflowers: primrose, bluebells, campion, knapweed. Urban meadows blossom through the wetlands of Walthamstow and Barnes, Hampstead Heath, Putney Heath, Ruislip. They thrive in the gardens of Dulwich, Regent’s Park, Bushy Park. The Big Smoke has grown into The Great Woods!

The iconic Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) alone invites over a hundred species of insect. Red Campion (Silene dioica), championed by folklore as the guardian of honey stores, is a chief biodiversity indicator. The Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), symbol of new beginnings, is a pioneer species colonising tougher terrains for other flowers to follow.

Wildflowers have supported pollinators to unlock the exponential green growth we see across our city. Though many of these species such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies have experienced devastating declines, these blooms provide desperately needed sanctuary to these crucial creatures.

Plants such as Clover (Trifolium spp.), extremely common across grassy areas, fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enriching it and promoting the growth of other plant species.

The UK’s Bumblebee Conservation Trust highlights the importance of plants like the Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), which supports the endangered Small Blue butterfly. Similarly, the early spring blooms of the Primrose (Primula vulgaris) provide a vital nectar source for bees emerging from hibernation.

These flowers contribute significantly to the overall environmental health of the urban environment. Their deep root systems support soil stabilisation, reduce erosion, and improve natural water infiltration and flow. This is beneficial in urban areas where soil compaction and runoff can lead to flooding. This is particularly evident in heavy rains when drainage systems often overflow into the streets.

Owing to their beauty, public spaces adorned with wildflowers evoke strong feelings of harmonious pleasure where otherwise oppressive noise and toxic pollution sadden the soul. It is not surprising that green spaces are shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and foster a sense of community and respect for one’s surroundings. A local sense of beauty even reduces littering, graffiti, and petty crime. Wildflower meadows provide a tranquil retreat from the usual stress of urban living. These retreats not only enhance biodiversity but also bring nature closer to London’s residents, offering opportunities for education and improving urban resilience to climate change.

To foster the thriving of wildflowers in public spaces across Britain is an endeavour with many blessings. London is a miracle. From enhancing biodiversity and supporting pollinators to improving environmental health and fostering community well-being, its forests are indispensable. Our city exemplifies how even densely populated cities can integrate and benefit from these natural treasures, reinforcing the timeless connection between humans and the natural world. And by valuing and protecting wildflowers, we not only safeguard our environment but also enrich our lives and the legacy we leave for future Londoners.

Small Heath Butterfly on Common Knapweed ( Centauria nigra )
C J Sharp 2016

Red Campion ( Silene dioca )
P J Fischer 2016

Oxeye Daisy { Leucanthemum vulgare )
D Ramsey 2007

BACK